Beer market in Czechia - statistics & facts
The earliest records of beer in Czechia date back to the late 10th century AD when monasteries began establishing and operating breweries. Over the years, beer gained popularity in medieval towns, and even the nobility began brewing their own varieties. This marked the beginning of a long-standing tradition that has been refined over the centuries. The modern Czech beer industry took shape in the 19th century with the founding of well-known breweries such as Pilsner Urquell, Staropramen, and Budweiser Budvar. Today, Czechia boasts the highest beer consumption per capita in the world, underscoring the deep cultural significance of beer in the country.
Additionally, Czech beer is gaining popularity in more distant markets, such as South Korea and the USA, reflecting a growing interest in authentic European beer styles. In contrast, beer imports to Czechia are much lower, totaling just 725 million Czech koruna, indicating a strong domestic beer culture that satisfies local demand.
Looking ahead, the Czech beer market shows promising growth, with predictions of increased production and consumption. Leading breweries are enhancing their production capacities and brand appeal, positioning themselves for continued success.
Czechs, the nation of beer lovers
Czechia is a country with tasty and high-quality beer. It is the ninth largest beer producer in Europe, which is an excellent place when we look at its size and population. Although consumption has generally decreased, the Czech beer industry has been experiencing a renaissance in the past several years, with the number of active beer breweries rising significantly. This is mainly due to a sharp increase in the establishment of microbreweries with limited local presence.Neighbors like Czech beer
Czechia has become a significant player in the global beer market, with beer exports valued at nearly 8.3 billion Czech koruna in 2023. This figure highlights the country's strong brewing heritage and the international demand for its beer. The majority of these exports go to neighboring countries, particularly Slovakia, Germany, and Poland, which value the quality and variety of Czech beers.Additionally, Czech beer is gaining popularity in more distant markets, such as South Korea and the USA, reflecting a growing interest in authentic European beer styles. In contrast, beer imports to Czechia are much lower, totaling just 725 million Czech koruna, indicating a strong domestic beer culture that satisfies local demand.
The giants of the industry
Among the biggest breweries in the country, Pilsner Urquell is the leader as it sold the most beer worldwide. Pivovary Staropramen sold the second-highest volume of beer, amounting to 5.72 million hectoliters in 2022. Although Heineken is a Dutch brewing company, it owns multiple Czech breweries, producing brands such as Starobrno or Zlatopramen, and most of its sales are domestic.Looking ahead, the Czech beer market shows promising growth, with predictions of increased production and consumption. Leading breweries are enhancing their production capacities and brand appeal, positioning themselves for continued success.
